The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1887-07-07

and Washington. Then the tolling steam
boat bell announces that the bright green
slopes and grand old mansion OF Mt YER
non are before us, and also that the end OF
our pleasant journey is reached. We
disembark, TO find summer resort"
beautiful enough to merit q visit, even
without the added attraction OF plank
shad."
But let us attend to the business of the
day. Look down the river bank. You
see fishermen-white, black and medium
hauling long seine. 1t is full Of shad,
herring and perch, with a big sturgeon
thrown in for luck. You see his back fin
cutting the water like razor as be darts
here and there in the Enclosure OF the net,
and some OF the seine haulers are standing
ready with club and gafl, waiting the
first favorable moment for attack. There!
they have stunned and perhaps killed him,
and are hauling him from the net bag
preparatory to ladling out the shsd.
Well, you may now be sure that shad-
our 'plank- shad been caught, and
that you shall eat no stale fish this day.
Now, come along to the outer kitchen, in
the rear Of the mansion, and look in at
the open window. III will be considered
no intrusion if explain that / want o
''green un" to know how II is dons) The
black servants (whose heads are, by the
way, oil ornamented with red bandannas)
are dressing the shsd just caught
Now come away. Under that tall locust,
few yards from the kitchen, is seen
good fire Of pine and cedar logs, and
around them row Of planks -lft.x2it. -
supported in nearly vertical position. A
superannuated negro, regular, old fash
Toned "fo.de.wah" sort OF darkey, who is
lame in one leg and 'afflic wild rumatiz in
de udder," hobbies around the frey circle,
conspicuously and SYSTEMATICALLY playing
the role Of inspector general Of shad cook
ing. With knowing look at the planks,
now Drowned by the fire, he gives the
grand hailing sign, and forth from the
kitchen comes buXom bare footed
daughter Of Ham, carrying tray full Of
the fresh caught and dressed shsd. These
the aforesaid inspector general proceeds
TO nail to the planks with haste limited
only by dignity and rheumatism. You
note that they are placed with the inner
side next the fire; yet, please set down in
your memory that it is preferable to give
them a short 'tuin" to insure thorough
cooking. The time has now come when
the proud master Of ceremonies can take
up the insignia OF bis great office. TO
wit wand in the form of long stick TO
one of whose ends clean piece OF muslin
or linen is attached, and bottle Tor small
bucket filled with mysterious yellow
liquid. Ever and anon be dips the cloth
end ofthe wand in the bottle, and then
holds it above steaming shad, so that the
liquid trickles down over it. This is obyi.
oubiJ beeiuk.
what is this liquid made or"
I've Investigated and found out that il
is melted butter, doctored with salt and
pepper, nothing more; and, later. your
appreciative palate will be duly thankful |
that it is nothing less.
Note now the air and facial expression |
OF the cook. They show he is conscious
Of your ignorance. and bis own accom-
plishments. He looks down from his
lofty height and wonders "why de pore
white trash kin nebber larn dis ere trick. /"
Bot note again how his manner changes.
He's evidently becoming excited. what
can il beY Are the fish ruined2 Shall We
have no 'plsnksd shsd after all? OH yes.
Don't be alarmed. The cook sees that the |
looked for climax is approaching. Therel
4 has come He gives another wild sig
ial. and this time more than on dusk
maid comes swiftly TO the rescue, and IN
rice the crispy cooked shad are detached
rom the plsnks and borne away to the
lining hall Let Us follow We sit down
i, the table and begin eating a. once. for
y the lexicon OF sbad which good stom
ch injites for the deserving men, there's
10 sueb word as wait Now for the frs.
inie 10 lie dismal experience. your stom-
ch the fish corner Of it-lises as I.
hoald 1T is revelation" Well, /
new ii would be. II ID 20 to all. "Bet-
er than any other FISH you ever stsi' or
curse But never mind of talking OF iha
OF Of gratitude. Thers'll be time
aongh later. Eat aud be fnll, for Thus
on n be happy. Dinner -such dinner
-is over. We rise with nes dignity, be-
.ase Of added gravity, and wander slow
/ down the green lawn TO comfortable
at under the trees, whence The broad o
YER aud the opposite bank, With Mt. In